Birkin, Reginald, Fitter Corporal, 201597, Royal Artillery Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal Formerly 2432, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment Enlisted Derby Resided Ripley Died of wounds 18th April 1918
275th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery Aged 24 Son of Augustus and Eliza Birkin, of Ripley; husband of Annie Gertrude Birkin, of The Club, Dale Road, Matlock, Derbyshire Buried in Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, VIII, D, 28
According to the 1901 Census, Reginald Birkin was born in Ripley
1911 Census: Francis Reginald Skerritt Birkin was a 16 year old engine fitter, residing in Brook Lane, Ripley. He was the son of John Joseph Augustus, a bricklayer, and Eliza Susan.
Information kindly contributed by Reg Birkin's great nephew, Gordon Clarke:
'Francis Reginald Skerritt BIRKIN DCM MM (better known in family circles as ‘Reg’) Aged 24 years 201597 Cpl Fitter 275th Brigade Royal Field Artillery Died of wounds Wednesday 18th April 1918 Buried at Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Bethune, France Grave Ref: V111 D 28
The London Gazette Citation for Distinguished Conduct Medal
“201597 Fitter ./ Cpl. R. Birkin, M.M., R.F .A. (Matlock) (LG 3 sept. 1918). For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When a battery was being very heavily shelled and most of the guns were damaged he went from gun to gun, repairing them where possible and keeping them in action when practically all the battery were casualties, until he was badly wounded. He showed great pluck and determination and absolute disregard for danger.”
Before joining the Royal Field Artillery he seemed to have moved regiments quite a bit. Although I have no actual dates I know from archives that he served as :- Private 2432 Sherwood Foresters Cpl 13164 Army Cyclist Corps Cpl Fitter 201597 Royal Field Artillery He was the son of Augustus Birkin (bricklayer) & Eliza Birkin nee Skerritt and lived in Brook Lane, Ripley. In the 1911 Census aged 16 years he was shown as an Engine Fitter. (Fits in quite well with his trade as Artillery Fitter) In 1915 he married Annie Gertrude ANTLIFF believed in Matlock. As a boy in the 1930’s I can remember my maternal grandmother (Reg’s sister) showing me his medals and the citation which she kept framed. She also had his Sherwood Foresters and his Royal Artillery cap badges. On her death they were all passed on to her great grandson and are now lost to the family.
This is as far as I can go as regards my great uncle. My eldest son has visited Uncle Reg’s grave in Lapugnoy, France and paid our respects. Unfortunately, my age and infirmity bar me from travelling.
Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal
Formerly 2432, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment
Enlisted Derby
Resided Ripley
Died of wounds 18th April 1918
275th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Aged 24
Son of Augustus and Eliza Birkin, of Ripley; husband of Annie Gertrude Birkin, of The Club, Dale Road, Matlock, Derbyshire
Buried in Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, VIII, D, 28
According to the 1901 Census, Reginald Birkin was born in Ripley
1911 Census:
Francis Reginald Skerritt Birkin was a 16 year old engine fitter, residing in Brook Lane, Ripley. He was the son of John Joseph Augustus, a bricklayer, and Eliza Susan.
Information kindly contributed by Reg Birkin's great nephew, Gordon Clarke:
'Francis Reginald Skerritt BIRKIN DCM MM
(better known in family circles as ‘Reg’)
Aged 24 years
201597 Cpl Fitter
275th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
Died of wounds Wednesday 18th April 1918
Buried at Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Bethune, France
Grave Ref: V111 D 28
The London Gazette Citation for Distinguished Conduct Medal
“201597 Fitter ./ Cpl. R. Birkin,
M.M., R.F .A. (Matlock) (LG 3 sept. 1918).
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When a battery was being very heavily shelled and most of the guns were damaged he went from gun to gun, repairing them where possible and keeping them in action when practically all the battery were casualties, until he was badly wounded. He showed great pluck and determination and absolute disregard for danger.”
Before joining the Royal Field Artillery he seemed to have moved regiments quite a bit. Although I have no actual dates I know from archives that he served as :-
Private 2432 Sherwood Foresters
Cpl 13164 Army Cyclist Corps
Cpl Fitter 201597 Royal Field Artillery
He was the son of Augustus Birkin (bricklayer) & Eliza Birkin nee Skerritt and lived in Brook Lane, Ripley. In the 1911 Census aged 16 years he was shown as an Engine Fitter. (Fits in quite well with his trade as Artillery Fitter)
In 1915 he married Annie Gertrude ANTLIFF believed in Matlock.
As a boy in the 1930’s I can remember my maternal grandmother (Reg’s sister) showing me his medals and the citation which she kept framed. She also had his Sherwood Foresters and his Royal Artillery cap badges. On her death they were all passed on to her great grandson and are now lost to the family.
This is as far as I can go as regards my great uncle. My eldest son has visited Uncle Reg’s grave in Lapugnoy, France and paid our respects. Unfortunately, my age and infirmity bar me from travelling.
Gordon Clarke'
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